Genesis 46 Bible Commentary

46:1 And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and ^a offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.

(a) By this he signified both that he worshipped the true God, and that he kept in his heart the possession of that land from which need drove him at that time.

46:4 I will ^b go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely ^c bring thee up [again]: and Joseph shall ^d put his hand upon thine eyes.

(b) Conducting you by my power.
(c) In your posterity.
(d) Shall shut your eyes when you die: which belongs to him that was most dear or chief of the kindred.

46:32 And the men [are] ^e shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have.

(e) He was not ashamed of his father and kindred, though they were of base condition.

46:34 That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, [and] also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd [is] an ^f abomination unto the Egyptians.

(f) God permits the world to hate his own, so they will forsake the filth of the world, and cling to him.